Strike ballot opens at Crane Building Services and Utilities

More than a hundred workers at Hitchin-based Crane Building Services and Utilities (BS&U) will today [8 April] begin voting in a formal industrial action ballot in an ongoing dispute over pay.

The ballot, which is organised by GMB Union and closes on Wednesday 22 April, will determine whether members take strike action after months of pay negotiations failed to secure a fair offer.

Workers have raised serious concerns that the company is refusing to recognise the skill involved in their roles and maintain appropriate pay differentials, with the latest offer rejected by 81 per cent of members.

Angry workers have accused Crane BS&U of 'flushing their core values down the drain.'

Any strike action would effectively shut down the company's operations in Hitchin.

GMB Regional Organiser Andre Marques said:

“It’s extremely disappointing to be in this situation, as moving to an industrial action ballot is always a last resort.

"GMB has engaged in pay negotiations in good faith, however our members are simply not being listened to.

"Our indicative ballot provided an overwhelming mandate to move forward, so now members will have their chance to decide whether to take strike action.”

"GMB is calling on Crane Building Services and Utilities to rethink their current stance and return with a meaningful offer that resolves this dispute and reflects the true value of the workforce."